This is based on an incredible true story about the Harvard psychologist (Luke Evans) who created the iconic comic book character in the 40s. He and his wife (also a behaviorist) enlisted a young woman to be their teaching assistant and the trio ended up living together and co-parenting 4 children. His relationship with these 2 empowered women, their kinky proclivities and his own theories on psychology inspired the Wonder Woman character and her exploits. Of course, the actors in this film are more Hollywood pretty than the real people, but their performances are nuanced and compelling. Even as this fascinating story unfolds, the measured pace and serious intensity made the film more plodding than necessary to do justice to their unique history. (Criterion Cinemas only) Interesting note: the credits list Phipps & Bird of Richmond, VA, because they provided some of the lie detector equipment.
(3 / 5)